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FRIENDLY FIRE

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). An intense battle poses many dangers, not the least of which is “friendly fire”. Accidental attacks on friendly forces while trying to defeat the enemy is one of the most tragic aspects of war. Nothing about the battlefield is pleasant, but to be taken out by those for whom you fight adds insult and deep pain to an already bad situation. I have seen friendly fire in spiritual battles, organizational battles, congregational battles, relational battles and family battles. At times, when we are counting on our comrades in arms, they turn weapons on their own. Cain was not only a jealous murderer, he was absolutely wrong in his self-defense. His deflection? “Am I my brother’s keeper?” YES, I AM my brother’s keeper. You O LORD are my Shield and Defender. Keep me attentive in the fog of war. May I never be confused about who the true enemy is.

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